Glycans are complex, multi-unit carbohydrate structures that cover the surfaces of cells and guide cellular interactions. Glycobiology studies the synthesis, structure, function, regulation, and evolution of glycans and glycan-binding molecules. Glycans are synthesized and added as modifications to proteins, lipids, and RNA. Though they are often associated with functions outside of cells (glycoproteins and glycolipids are most often extracellular or secreted), glycans are also active within cells. Glycans are known to have diverse physiological roles ranging from cell adhesion (maintaining tissue structure and integrity) to molecular recognition (marking position during development, or self-identity in immunity and reproduction). Glycans also regulate cellular activity and physiological state. The families of proteins that bind glycans are called lectins. Glycans and lectins are vital in many diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, inflammation, allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders.
This special issue will focus on how the synthesis, structure, and evolution of glycans and lectins influence their functions in immunity and disease. The last few years have seen remarkable advancements in our ability to synthesize glycan structures and analyze glycan functions. New computational tools and analytical techniques are uncovering the many roles that glycans play in health and disease. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge, particularly regarding the evolutionary origins of glycan structures, how their functions evolve over time, and how these changes influence the physiological systems that depend on glycans for their functions. Our goal is to encourage empirical and conceptual work on the roles of glycans at the interface of immunity and disease.
We call for papers on the synthesis, structure, function, and evolution of glycans in immunity and disease.
Synthesis:
- Natural synthesis (glycosyltransferase activity and regulation)
- Chemical synthesis (artificial glycans, modification and engineering)
Structures:
- Lectins (I-type lectins, C-type lectins, F-Lectins)
- Glycans (N-glycans, O-Glycans, Mucins, GPI-anchored proteins, Glycolipids, GlycoRNAs)
Functions:
- Immune response (cancer, infectious disease, self-recognition)
- Immunomodulation (autoimmunity, inflammation, neurodegeneration, reproduction)
Evolution:
- Origins of glycan structures, modifications, and synthesis pathways
- Molecular evolution of glycans and glycan binding molecules
We invite high-quality original empirical research articles, review articles, clinical trials etc. This can include computational approaches (glycoinformatics), synthetic approaches (glycochemistry), physiological approaches (glycoimmunology) and comparative approaches (glycoevolution). We will also consider proposals for forward-looking synthesis, and direction-defining commentary on the roles of glycans in immunity and disease.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this topic.
Glycans are complex, multi-unit carbohydrate structures that cover the surfaces of cells and guide cellular interactions. Glycobiology studies the synthesis, structure, function, regulation, and evolution of glycans and glycan-binding molecules. Glycans are synthesized and added as modifications to proteins, lipids, and RNA. Though they are often associated with functions outside of cells (glycoproteins and glycolipids are most often extracellular or secreted), glycans are also active within cells. Glycans are known to have diverse physiological roles ranging from cell adhesion (maintaining tissue structure and integrity) to molecular recognition (marking position during development, or self-identity in immunity and reproduction). Glycans also regulate cellular activity and physiological state. The families of proteins that bind glycans are called lectins. Glycans and lectins are vital in many diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, inflammation, allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders.
This special issue will focus on how the synthesis, structure, and evolution of glycans and lectins influence their functions in immunity and disease. The last few years have seen remarkable advancements in our ability to synthesize glycan structures and analyze glycan functions. New computational tools and analytical techniques are uncovering the many roles that glycans play in health and disease. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge, particularly regarding the evolutionary origins of glycan structures, how their functions evolve over time, and how these changes influence the physiological systems that depend on glycans for their functions. Our goal is to encourage empirical and conceptual work on the roles of glycans at the interface of immunity and disease.
We call for papers on the synthesis, structure, function, and evolution of glycans in immunity and disease.
Synthesis:
- Natural synthesis (glycosyltransferase activity and regulation)
- Chemical synthesis (artificial glycans, modification and engineering)
Structures:
- Lectins (I-type lectins, C-type lectins, F-Lectins)
- Glycans (N-glycans, O-Glycans, Mucins, GPI-anchored proteins, Glycolipids, GlycoRNAs)
Functions:
- Immune response (cancer, infectious disease, self-recognition)
- Immunomodulation (autoimmunity, inflammation, neurodegeneration, reproduction)
Evolution:
- Origins of glycan structures, modifications, and synthesis pathways
- Molecular evolution of glycans and glycan binding molecules
We invite high-quality original empirical research articles, review articles, clinical trials etc. This can include computational approaches (glycoinformatics), synthetic approaches (glycochemistry), physiological approaches (glycoimmunology) and comparative approaches (glycoevolution). We will also consider proposals for forward-looking synthesis, and direction-defining commentary on the roles of glycans in immunity and disease.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this topic.